Poker is a great social game, and it can be played for real money or for fun. It’s also a game of skill, not luck, and the more you learn the better your results will be.

There are a few key things you need to know before playing any poker game. First, you’ll need to understand the basics of how the cards are dealt.

You’ll also need to learn how to make a decision about whether or not you have a good hand before betting, especially in games with an ante instead of a blind. A good way to practice is to shuffle and deal four hands of hole cards face down, then decide which hand is best.

Then, on the flop (the first card dealt) and turn (second), you’ll need to assess your hands again. Ideally, you should be able to determine which hand is the best within seconds or less.

Once you’ve done that, it’s time to start betting. The person on the left of the dealer is called the “first bettor” and must bet at least the ante amount, or the agreed minimum raise, in each betting interval until someone else calls.

After the flop, turn and river, there’s one last betting round before the showdown. The player with the best five-card poker hand wins the pot.